I still don't know if they could make it work with a smaller arena. The Winnipeg club argues that the American teams average around half capacity or a third capacity. However they can afford to do that because of looser tax laws and the stronger American dollars. Canadian teams need to sell out their buildings to be a success. One other factor is the corporate support. I'm not an expert but I don't think there are many big companies operating out of Winnipeg.

I know nothing about the new arena or attempts to bring a team back to Winnipeg but I must say it is a damn shame that they do not have a team while a place like Carolina does.

You ever been to a game in Raleigh? I went to a meaningless game in March vs Buffalo last season and the parking lot was packed with tailgaters, almost everyone in the arena had a Canes jersey and it was a pretty strong crowd (16,000ish). I've got no problem with that market.

I'm not really sure what new market could support an NHL team, there aren't enough hockey markets in the league to begin with. Houston or Seattle maybe?

You ever been to a game in Raleigh? I went to a meaningless game in March vs Buffalo last season and the parking lot was packed with tailgaters, almost everyone in the arena had a Canes jersey and it was a pretty strong crowd (16,000ish). I've got no problem with that market.

I'm not really sure what new market could support an NHL team, there aren't enough hockey markets in the league to begin with. Houston or Seattle maybe?

Use to have seasons when I lived there, They are second to last in attendance averaging about 12,000 a game. I am biased and still don't think they should have a team.

I still don't know if they could make it work with a smaller arena. The Winnipeg club argues that the American teams average around half capacity or a third capacity. However they can afford to do that because of looser tax laws and the stronger American dollars. Canadian teams need to sell out their buildings to be a success. One other factor is the corporate support. I'm not an expert but I don't think there are many big companies operating out of Winnipeg.

I do wish they could get back into the NHL though.

Call me crazy but I think Winnipeg has a much better chance of bringing the NHL back than people think if the lockout lasts over a year.

Lets get to corporate support now. Every company in Winnipeg would jump at a chance of bringing the Jets back to Winnipeg. The city still moans the Jets, and have never accepted the AHL Moose as a repacement. Look no further than Denver,CO or Minneapolis-St Paul for an idea of cities that didnt realize what they had until it was lost.

Remember in 1972, everyone laughed if you said Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Quebec would have NHL teams before the end of the decade, but it became reality. If the lockout lasts 18 months or more (which I think it will), the NHL will be desperate to move teams to Saskatoon, let alone Winnipeg.

If the lockout lasts 18 months or more (which I think it will), the NHL will be desperate to move teams to Saskatoon, let alone Winnipeg.

Maybe I am missing something, but why would teams in strong markets, i.e. Detroit, Toronto….. be supported during a lockout. People aren’t going to but tickets to watch an empty ice surface and there will be no revenue, regardless of the market.

You ever been to a game in Raleigh? I went to a meaningless game in March vs Buffalo last season and the parking lot was packed with tailgaters, almost everyone in the arena had a Canes jersey and it was a pretty strong crowd (16,000ish). I've got no problem with that market.

The Hurricanes just played Buffalo last night. They won 2-1. Announced attendance: 9, 500 (or 50% capacity).

Call me crazy but I think Winnipeg has a much better chance of bringing the NHL back than people think if the lockout lasts over a year.

Lets get to corporate support now. Every company in Winnipeg would jump at a chance of bringing the Jets back to Winnipeg. The city still moans the Jets, and have never accepted the AHL Moose as a repacement. Look no further than Denver,CO or Minneapolis-St Paul for an idea of cities that didnt realize what they had until it was lost.

Remember in 1972, everyone laughed if you said Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Quebec would have NHL teams before the end of the decade, but it became reality. If the lockout lasts 18 months or more (which I think it will), the NHL will be desperate to move teams to Saskatoon, let alone Winnipeg.

Nice to see an optimist in the crowd but it was poor thinking by the designer to build a 15 000 seat arena without the similar NHL design to maximize revenue. The NHL will NEVER be desparate to move to Winnipeg or Saskatoon. While I don't deem it impossible, but like I have said before, after....

Portland, Seattle, Houston, San Diego, San Francisco and many other cities....Winnipeg might get considered.

But on top of it, I heard the guy from Winnipeg on FAN590 and he said that the building wasn't designed to be expanded. I think they are dead in the water....for decades at least.

I still don't know if they could make it work with a smaller arena. The Winnipeg club argues that the American teams average around half capacity or a third capacity. However they can afford to do that because of looser tax laws and the stronger American dollars. Canadian teams need to sell out their buildings to be a success. One other factor is the corporate support. I'm not an expert but I don't think there are many big companies operating out of Winnipeg.

I do wish they could get back into the NHL though.

you hit the nail on the head there buddy. winnipeg doesn't have enough corporate support and looser tax laws. the NHL coming back to Winnipeg is a pipe dream in the near future. maybe in 20 years though

I agree that Winnipeg getting an NHL team is a longshot, but the more I think about it, the more I am convinced it is a definite possiblility. You must look at the Colorado and Minnesota franchises. Both cities had NHL teams that moved because of no corporate support, and a weak fan base. People realized in a few years that they took the North Stars/Rockies for granted. When the NHL returned a decade later, it was the hottest ticket in town.

This is exactly what will happen if the NHL returns to Winnipeg. We have a new arena, corporations that would bend over backwards to support a Winnipeg NHL team because of the gulit associated with not supporting the Jets when they were here. It would be next to impossible to get a ticket for an NHL game, especially in a 15 100 seat arena.

I can't wait until the lockout begins. Sure I will miss watching all my favorite NHL players and teams, but I know in the longrun, it will be beneficial to the NHL and drive down players salaries. Hopefully, it will also drive Bettman out of a job, and relocate teams in markets like Carolina, Nashville, and Anaheim to Winnipeg, Quebec, and Hartford!

I agree that Winnipeg getting an NHL team is a longshot, but the more I think about it, the more I am convinced it is a definite possiblility. You must look at the Colorado and Minnesota franchises. Both cities had NHL teams that moved because of no corporate support, and a weak fan base. People realized in a few years that they took the North Stars/Rockies for granted. When the NHL returned a decade later, it was the hottest ticket in town.

This is exactly what will happen if the NHL returns to Winnipeg. We have a new arena, corporations that would bend over backwards to support a Winnipeg NHL team because of the gulit associated with not supporting the Jets when they were here. It would be next to impossible to get a ticket for an NHL game, especially in a 15 100 seat arena.

I can't wait until the lockout begins. Sure I will miss watching all my favorite NHL players and teams, but I know in the longrun, it will be beneficial to the NHL and drive down players salaries. Hopefully, it will also drive Bettman out of a job, and relocate teams in markets like Carolina, Nashville, and Anaheim to Winnipeg, Quebec, and Hartford!

just to let you know, avalanche games are sold out due to huge corporate support which the was not there previously. what businesses in winnipeg could actually support an NHL team? im curious to know

There's one thing, and really only one thing, that Winnipeg needs to have a team again: a rich owner willing to make it happen. With that, they honestly need nothing else, but without it, they have no chance of getting a franchise. Does such a person exist? I have no idea.